Divya Deshmukh Takes on FIDE World Cup 2025 Open Section

Divya Deshmukh, the 19-year-old Indian and only the fourth Indian female Grandmaster, is set to compete in the Open World Championship cycle yet again – this time in the FIDE World Cup 2025, to be held in Goa, India, from October 31 to November 27. Following her victory in the Women’s World Cup earlier this year, where she defeated Humpy Koneru to qualify for the 2026 Women’s Candidates, Divya is choosing a tougher challenge. Inspired by the legendary Judit Polgar, she’s opted to challenge the world’s top players in the open section, entering as an underdog to hone her skills.

Divya’s recent performance at the 2025 FIDE Grand Swiss Open in Samarkand showed her immense potential. With a rating of 2478, Divya outperformed expectations, achieving a tournament performance rating 130 points higher. She scored two wins and six draws in 11 rounds, including a notable draw against the reigning World Champion, Gukesh D, proving she can hold her own against elite competition. As a wildcard entrant among a field with 20+ players rated over 2700, Divya aims to use the World Cup to sharpen her game and cause a few potential upsets. Her decision to compete in the open section reflects her ambition to push limits and improve, inspiring others to embrace challenges in chess.

2025 FIDE World Cup participants list: https://worldcup2025.fide.com/participants/

Photo courtesy: Michal Walusza / FIDE